Detectives rescue puppies, pit bulls

JOLIET TOWNSHIP -- Will County Sheriff's police and animal control officers rescued five pit bulls from an apparent dogfighting operation Tuesday.

Will County and Joliet Animal Control officers were notified about the animals when a Will County Land Use Department employee went to "red tag" 713 Logan St., a house neighbors say has been vacant for several months.

"They noticed five pit bulls tied up in the backyard, along with one dead," sheriff's spokesman Pat Barry said.

The animal control officers had Detective Sgt. Mike Kelley and Detectives Jack Ellingham and Dan Jungles brought out and the deputies obtained a search warrant after "noticing the attached garage had a treadmill that is used to train fighting dogs."

Inside they found a mother pit bull and five puppies, who were turned over to animal control.

"Four of the puppies were in good condition and one was in poor condition," Barry said.

Police also reportedly found "a large amount of steroids and needles used in the training of fighting dogs."

Barry said neighbors told investigators there have been pickup trucks visiting the residence late at night since the house was abandoned.

"There is no evidence dog fighting was taking place at this location," he said.

Anyone with information can call detectives at 815-727-8574 or anonymously call CrimeStoppers at 800-323-6734.